The End for Tower Bridge

[norm2002]

Jane

 

Laura currently has no plans to return to Seabourn but I have to say I would not be totally surprised if she does after a while. Once it's in your blood ...

 

It's Dr Herra. I think the first name is Christoph although I haven't got my last Passenger Lists with the names of the officers with me to check.

 

There must be someone who recognises the man on the right - although his hair is a fair bit shorter than when I last saw him.

 

The other lady is someone I had not met before but is there anyone here who has sailed with her? Her name is Kirsten (I think) and she was the Tour Manager, just finishing her contract.

 

While I was waiting, I saw her and Laura's replacements, Carol Frey and Yolande Shiffer boarding (not sure if I've got the spelling right). Carol was carrying a rather large box but she said there wasn't room to fit me inside :( .

 

And I'm now the proud owner of a US brochure for 2006/7 which Laura brought ashore for me. I don't expect the UK one to be available for some time yet. A few somewhat out-of-date photos in it - like the Pride passing under Tower Bridge and a rather younger Captain Leif Rodahl. I don't think we'll be seeing either of those in reality again :(.

 

Regards

 

Norm

[bldsld]

Norm,

 

The man to the far right is Felipe from Portugal, who started out on the Spirit years ago as a waiter, and has moved up the ranks from Maitre d' in the Veranda on the Pride, to either head or asst. maitre d' in the dining room on the Pride. For a while, starting back in 1997 or 1998, we would run into Felipe no matter which of the three ships we were on. He seemed to be on the Spirit when we were on the Spirit, the Legend when we were on the Legend, and then on the Pride when we were on the Pride!

 

Denyse

 

P.S. Norm, thanks for the tutorial on options! :D:D:D

[norm2002]

Absolutely right, Denyse. Felipe was going home until the end of July. Felipe is one of Seabourn's stars and it was he who accompanied our group on our visit to Machu Picchu. He really is the best!

regards

Norm

[Jane Pond]

Yes, it's Christoph or Krystof.. I had seen Laura when she came to have lunch on the Legend when we were docked with the Pride in Mahon. At that time she said she would be doing the Pride crossing. I remember that someone had posted (our ever-wise Martita?) that she loved the cinnamon flavored microwave popcorn and I was going to be sure to get some to bring along. I sailed with Carol Frey O guess last December in the Carribean, but perhaps someone else will remember. Had Kristen been on the QM2 or just Seabourn?

 

Jane

[Sea-hawk]

Great pics sir.

 

It looks as tho the ship is in front of the Design Museum, just east of the bridge. Does anyone know if the Blue Print Resaurant is still open there?

[norm2002]

Great pics sir.

 

Does anyone know if the Blue Print Resaurant is still open there?

 

Yes the Blue Print cafe was still there but not open when I was there (it was about 7.30am!). The ship was about 50 or 100 yards further from the cafe. Of course, the tenders from the ship go to Tower Pier just beyond the Bridge so it isn't possible just to pop over from the ship to the cafe.

Regards

Norm

[Sea-hawk]

We are sailing out of London on July 3 and will miss going under the bridge. It was really special when we cruised under it a few years back. We aren't sailing until 11pm anyway. Could that late departure be because of tides?

 

Anyway, check in is at 3 and we still might try to make it to the Blue Print Cafe.Back in 2001 we were in Tuscany for cooking lessons and the Chef was Jeromy Lee from the Blue Print. He was quite talanted as well as entertaining.

[Winner]

The good doctor is Krysztof (Krys) Herra; we have sailed with him many times, as Pride is our favorite triplet. He is a wonderful dinner host and loves kayaking. He is a passing good surgeon too; off Chile several years ago he set a passenger's broken shoulder. There happened to be at least three physician passengers, including an orthopaedic surgeon, but none were needed since Krys is also an "orthopod".

 

We will also miss Laura.

[Jane Pond]

Hi Norm,

 

As I have mentioned, I will be in London a few days before sailing ( 28 August) and will be glad to stand you for a few pints at the American Bar at the Stafford if you want to come to the St James area.

 

Jane

[Jane Pond]

As a matter of note, the Blue Print Cafe was mentioned in a travel article in the past Sunday New York Times. The four (and I cannot remember the other 3 but two were pubs) were highlighted as having great Thames views.

 

Jane (Back from a long weekend in Atlantic City where I learned to play Texas Hold 'Em poker. I don't supposed that's offered in the casino, is it?)

[lord of the seas]

As a matter of note, the Blue Print Cafe was mentioned in a travel article in the past Sunday New York Times. The four (and I cannot remember the other 3 but two were pubs) were highlighted as having great Thames views.

 

Jane (Back from a long weekend in Atlantic City where I learned to play Texas Hold 'Em poker. I don't supposed that's offered in the casino, is it?)

Hi Jane,There are a few restuarants that have a good Thames view.The Blue Print Cafe is one of a collection of eateries that is owned by Terence Conran.The others are Le Pont De la Tour which is a very upmarket restuarant and has the most wonderful view of Tower Bridge, Cantina del Pont which is a good italian and The Chop House which serves traditional British cuisine these too have a great river view.The pub which has a good view is The Angel in Rotherhithe which is not far from Tower bridge but is on the south side of the river. There are many more, but my Champagne is getting flat so must go to top up.

Cheers

John

[Sea-hawk]

We too saw the article and e mailed the chef. We met him in Italy a few years back at a cooking school. Alas he will be out of town when we sail away on this coming Sunday.

[seabourndt]

i know you don't know me but i live in london as just love seabourn did the pride sopme years ago love seeingb the film speed 2 though they duid not like me mentioning it whilst on board. i wil be in london on sunday not sure if i will be there for your departure as its late. if you want to meetrn up for a drink

let me know

email me on seabourndt@aol.com

or 07746476246

david

[Sea-hawk]

David, I have emailed you regarding tomorrow, but fear it did not go through.

[seabourndt]

got your email ok, shame we can't meet up it would have been nice. i'll be there just the same. i see theres another ship under the bridge strange that as its a cheap one. would'nt know they could afford the charges. that ship leaves at 10pm

dave

[Sea-hawk]

Just arrived at Gatwick after a nice overnight flight on BA from Dallas. Will spend the day here at the Hilton resting and then to the ship. If you are on the pier, let us know what you are wearing and we'll see if we spot you. Do wish we were on the other side of the bridge, but are glad we had the chance to pass under it at least once.

[seabourndt]

Did'nt Realise You Would Post From The Hotel, I Gave Youi My Mobile And Email But Nothing. I Did Not Stay In Tower Bdge Went To Greenwixch For Lunch

Have A Great Cruise

See You Soon

Dave

[Leonid]

To the UK posters:

 

My wife & I have Club Floor Level reservations at the Millennium Gloucester Hotel in South Kensington. At the web site TripAdvisers.com, there were a few unflattering reviews, which is making me rethink our reservation. Any input regarding the hotel would be appreciated, as well as other hotel recommendations that have Club Floor Level accommodations.

 

If you would rather e-mail than post, use lsnv2@charter.net.

 

Leonid

[lord of the seas]

To the UK posters:

 

My wife & I have Club Floor Level reservations at the Millennium Gloucester Hotel in South Kensington. At the web site TripAdvisers.com, there were a few unflattering reviews, which is making me rethink our reservation. Any input regarding the hotel would be appreciated, as well as other hotel recommendations that have Club Floor Level accommodations.

 

If you would rather e-mail than post, use lsnv2@charter.net.

 

Leonid

Hi Leonid,I know this hotel very well, and would not consider it to be good at all.The hotel is situated near Gloucester Road,and this area is full of cheap tourist Hotels, it can be very busy,also this Hotel has a Casino and can be quit noisy at nite.As I live in london I can point you in the right direction,just tell me your likes and dislikes and the type of Hotel that you want.

Regards

John

[Leonid]

Lord of the Seas:

 

Thanks for the post. My wife & I would like Club Floor privileges; decent restaurant nearby, since my wife is rather restricted to a wheelchair when we travel; location is not important. we will be transported from the hotel to the ship by private van; size is not really that important; decent neighborhood is; reasonable cost would be nice, but after staying in Venice 3 years ago for 2 nights at the Luna Hotel Baglioni, nothing suprises me; good reputation with good staff & service; well maintained hotel with good, clean rooms.

 

Note 1: TripAdviser.com ( correct web site) has rated London hotels ( one through many). MIllennium Gloucester is rated about 232, I believe.

 

Note 2: We will be flying in from JFK to Heathrow on 08/24 2005. The hotel will need to accept guaranted, late arrivals. We will be arriving on the morning of the 25th.

 

Thanks for any input.

 

Leonid

[Jane Pond]

Just curious, what are 'Club Floor Privileges'? I don't stay in enough hotels to warrant that serivce. I am staying at The Stafford Hotel in Mayfair, which is very nice, small, highly rated, rather like Seabourn in ambiance and service. It's very quiet, set in a cul-de-sac.

 

Jane in PHL-see you all soon!

[Leonid]

Jane:

Club Floor Privileges at the hotel at which we are currently booked include evening cocktails, breakfast and a host of other goodies. At this point, after what Lord of the Seas posted, I doubt if we will stay at where we are booked.

Tell me more about the Stafford!

 

Leonid

[lord of the seas]

Jane:

Club Floor Privileges at the hotel at which we are currently booked include evening cocktails, breakfast and a host of other goodies. At this point, after what Lord of the Seas posted, I doubt if we will stay at where we are booked.

Tell me more about the Stafford!

 

Leonid

Hi Leonid, The Stafford is a lovely Hotel, it is small but offers traditional service.At the entrance there are some steps to negotiate but I am sure the staff are used to helping with wheelchairs.The location is good, being in the St James area which has a lovely park and is near to Piccadilly and many shops and Restaurants.The American Bar in the Hotel is a great place to have a drink and a light snack and to meet people.You say that size is not important,but neighborhood is,then you should not stay at the Millenium because the Neighborhood is not good and I can think of no Restuarant that I can recommend.The other Hotel that I would recommend and is a favourite of mine is The Goring Hotel in Beeston Place.it is situated just behind Buckingham Palace and has a great Restaurant and wonderful staff,many of whom have worked at the Hotel for thirty-plus years.The Hotel which has an "Executive" floor with a lounge for Breakfast and extras is The Grosvenor House Hotel which is on Park Lane opposite Hyde Park.My experience of these club floor Hotels is that they are geared to attracting the Corporate visitor and so become very business like and clinical.Leonid,do consider one of the smaller,more personal Hotels that have staff that care and actually know your name and what you like.I think the smaller,better quality Hotel will definately be more like the experience that you will encounter on Seabourn

Regards

John

[Leonid]

Lord of the Seas:

 

Thanks for the input...also found another hotel on which I would like your opinion. It's the City Inn Westminster on John Islip Street. Very modern and the reviews are good. Comments please.

 

Leonid

[lord of the seas]

Lord of the Seas:

 

Thanks for the input...also found another hotel on which I would like your opinion. It's the City Inn Westminster on John Islip Street. Very modern and the reviews are good. Comments please.

 

Leonid

Hi Leonid,The City Inn Westminster has only been open for five minutes.It is a contemporary Hotel set in an area that is being re-developed.The only thing to see within a Ten minute walk is the Tate Britain art gallery,which is interesting in itself and as it's name suggests shows work by British Artists.The Website suggests that it is near many attractions,This is not the case and is not good for wheelchair users unless you want to walk a long way.This Hotel will attract business users who need to be in the capital for one or two nights.It is all glass and Marble,but not much warmth and character. Leonid in this area there are no restaurants to speak of and I am sure that the prices compare with the much better Goring or Stafford Hotels.it always pays to stick with the tried and tested when you are in an unfamiliar City

Regards

John